The morning started a bit foggy and cool. We were served a delicious pancake breakfast.
Alan and I opted for another easier hike. It turns out (no surprise) I’m a slow hiker and can’t get the harder/longer hikes completed in the allotted amount of time.
The car ride to the beginning of the hike was much shorter than the day before which meant we started hiking earlier in the day at about 9:30am and it was about 62 degrees. We went 6.5 miles and had only 256 feet of elevation on the Old Sauk River Trail.
Although today’s trail didn’t have sweeping vistas it was more than compensated for with the tranquility. We only saw one other hiker the whole day. The trail was verdant and calming as it followed along the Sauk River. There were massive old Douglas Fir trees, hemlocks and firs. The fourteen of us enjoyed our paper bag lunches at the 1/2 way point and then headed back. We finished hiking around 3pm and it was about 80 degrees. On the way back to camp we stopped in Concrete for ice cream.
Act One Ice Cream is an independently owned shop inside a historic theater building in old town Concrete. It serves small-batch Wisconsin ice cream, (sourced from a family-owned Wisconsin dairy). Built inside a remodeled historic space that doubles as the theater lobby and an art gallery. Alan opted for an affogato which is ice cream with a shot of espresso poured over the top and I enjoyed a chocolate/carmel flavored scoop.
A big plus for ending earlier today as that we were able to partake in a solar shower. It was Alan’s first solar shower; I used one ages ago at a family pig roast.
The day ended with a scrumptious dinner and the evening hiker meeting. Each night at the camper meeting as hikers sign up for the next days’ hike, the camp director plays her guitar and the group joins in singing (if they know the words).
The Sauk River.
Our turn around point of the trail and our lunch spot.
Two large slugs spotted along the water’s edge.
Ice Cream stop in Concrete.
